Benguet LGUs, Farmers Join DOST in Designing a Frost Risk Tool for Highland Crops
To better protect highland crops from frost damage, local government units and farming communities in Benguet worked with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in a consensus workshop aimed at developing science-based and locally grounded tools for frost risk management.
Six Benguet municipalities, Buguias, Atok, Kabayan, Bakun, Kibungan, and Mankayan, participated in a consensus workshop on frost classification held in Buguias, Benguet on April 22, 2026. The activity aimed to develop a standardized, science-based, and locally relevant frost risk classification system tailored to the province.
The workshop is part of the project titled Risk Assessment of Frost Events in Benguet, Philippines (FrostRiskPH), which is being implemented by the DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Benguet. FrostRiskPH is a disaster risk communication project funded by the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines under the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) – Sustainable Communities Program.
During the workshop, representatives from the participating LGUs, guided by PAGASA experts, were engaged in discussions and brainstorming sessions. Both quantitative and qualitative inputs including local knowledge, lived experiences, and existing agricultural practices from local stakeholders were gathered as these are crucial inputs in developing a standardized frost risk classification and mapping system suited to highland farming communities.
The resulting frost risk map identifies the severity of frost in agriculture and is intended to support farmers, agricultural planners, LGUs and national government agencies (NGAs) in making informed decisions on planting schedules, crop selection, and site suitability.
The project also introduced the Frost Risk Observation and Support Tool (FROST-PH) to LGUs. Through a hands-on session, stakeholders explored the tool’s capabilities in providing near real-time monitoring of frost events, streamlined reporting, assessment of frost occurrences, and access to frost risk data in a more user-friendly format.
Project Leader Dr. Joseph Q. Basconcillo, together with his team, facilitated the workshop. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) also joined the discussion and workshop.
Buguias Mayor Julis M. Amos emphasized the importance of active LGU participation throughout the project. He noted that Benguet LGUs’ involvement in development-led projects is crucial in sustaining the province’s agriculture sector, as Benguet remains one of the country’s major vegetable producers.
DOST-PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel T. Servando also pointed out the importance of a holistic approach in planning and delivering climate services that are responsive to on-the-ground realities faced by communities.
“Through consensus building, we move closer to developing strategies that are not only technically sound but also practical and meaningful for those we serve,” he said.
Ms. Beverly Mae N. Dela Cruz, Chief Science Research Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of the NRCP Office of the Director, also shared that timely research and strong community partnerships among researchers and stakeholders are a must. Accordingly, these are crucial in strengthening risk communication towards resilient local agriculture, sustainable food security and better adaptation to climate change.
“The success of initiatives like this requires the reintegration of science, agriculture, risk assessment, communication, governance, and community knowledge,” Dela Cruz emphasized.
The FrostPH project is anchored on DOST’s pillars of wealth protection and sustainability. It aims to use science and technology to strengthen the capacity of highland vegetable farming communities to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The project also seeks to improve agricultural productivity while promoting long-term sustainability in highland farming systems.
For LGUs, farmers, and institutions seeking guidance on frost risks and climate-related concerns, DOST, through its attached agencies and councils, provides climate services, decision support tools, and access to scientific expertise. Interested sectors are encouraged to reach out to the PAGASA and/or NRCP to learn more about available programs and assistance that can support climate-smart agriculture and informed, resilient farming decisions. (Rose D. Dagupen // S&T Media Services)
